Hard Hat Award (Game #13, @ Cleveland)
No one is the winner of the weekly Hard Hat Award, given to the Stiller player who best embodies the iron-tough, hard-as-steel attitude of the steel workers inside the blast furnace of a still mill.
In yet another lethargic effort, this time versus the 1-11 Browns, the team slopped and slathered its way thru 60 minutes of lukewarm, uninspired football. The hitting was weak and feeble, as evidenced by the Browns’ rushing for 171 yards. The special teams was once again a cluster. The offense never once imposed its will on the opposing defense, despite this being a Clev defense that ranked dead last in the NFL and also missing 5 starters.
Few, if any, players were in consideration after this vomity slopfest. Brett Keisel drew some consideration for his continued solid play. He seems to be one of the few players who hasn’t yet mailed it in.
It bears repeating that there is almost always -- if not always -- a strong correlation between the number of players in consideration for the Hard Hat, and if the team won or lost. Simply put, Hard Hat kind of football leads to victory; pansy football (a term used here long before Troy Pola popularized it) leads to defeat. Given the poor effort and lack of toughness this past Sunday -- especially on the defense -- it should come as no surprise that the Stillers got beaten.
Kudos to no one for winning the Hard Hat Award. Don’t wear the Hard Hat proudly, fellas.
Previous 2009 Hard Hat Winners:
Game #1, vs. Tenn.: Jamie Harrison and Keyaron Fox
Game #2, @ Chicago: No one
Game #3, @ Cinci: Mike Wallace (honorable mention to Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garric)
Game #4, vs. San Diego: Rashard Mendenhall and Chris Kemoeatu
Game #5, @ Detroit: Jamie Harrison
Game #6, vs. Cleveland: Larry Timmons
Game #7, vs. Minnesota: James Farrior
Game #8, @ Denver: Ty Carter and Brett Keisel
Game #9, vs. Cinci: No one
Game #10, @ KC: Rashard Mendenhall
Game #11, @ Baltimore: Dennis Dixon
Game #13, vs. Oak: No one